Mark Ford

Contact details

9 Darleith Terrace Caroline Springs Melbourne, Australia. 3023
email: mark.ford@wesleycollege.net
website: www.kewband.org.au

home: +61 (0)3 83909807
mobile: +61 425 717 926
work:
fax:

More about Mark

Mark is an internationally renowned conductor of bands. Since 1996, he has been Principal Conductor with Kew Band Melbourne, one of Australasia's premier bands and with that band won three Australian National A Grade Championship titles in 1998, 2000 & 2011. In 2009, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne to its first Australasian Open Championship title. More recently, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne to its third Australian National title in Adelaide in 2011.

He was associate Musical Director of the Victorian State Youth Band from 1987-1993 and was Director of Music and Musical Advisor to the Queensland State Youth Band for its 1998 and 1999 seasons. In 2005, he was appointed Principal Conductor and Musical Advisor to Melbourne Honours Brass. In 2008, Mark was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Bands' League for his services to community music.

In 1999, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne on a ground-breaking tour of Japan as guests of the All Japan Brass Band Festival. In 2001, Mark accepted an invitation to travel to the Netherlands to conduct Brass Band de Waldsang in the Netherlands Survento Contest. Brass Band de Waldsang won the Championship Section of this prestigious contest under his baton.

His reputation as one of Australia's finest directors of bands was acknowledged in 2001, when he was appointed Principal Conductor of 'Australian Brass' (National Band of Australia) for its 2001 season. In 2004, the National Band Council of Australia awarded him Principal Conductor of the Australian National Band.

He has also taught and educated in tertiary institutions. In 1997 he was lecturer/conductor of Brass Band at The Victorian College of the Arts. He was lecturer in Brass at The University of Melbourne in 1999. He is teacher of euphonium at the Australian Defence Force School of Music.

He is also a renowned soloist who has won many Local, State and National Championship titles. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist have seen him win major solo titles on a number of instruments He was principal trumpet in The University of Melbourne Wind Ensemble from 1994-1998.

Mark Ford is widely known as an energetic, innovative and passionate musician with vision and flair, who has considerable experience at a high level as a conductor, adjudicator, administrator, motivator and educator.